Trinity Blood
48

０１― バッキンガム宮殿（アルビオン王国の中枢）に無事たどり着いたエステルだが。。。！？After safely arriving at Buckingham Palace, what has become of Esther...?!

Red bubble: 連載再開！！Serialization resumes!!

０２

― ほんっ。。。I honestly!とうに！Truly!

ｔｘｔ：平謝りのアベルだが。。。Abel apologizes profusely.

― まことにもって！！Sincerely!!

― 誠心誠意。。。From the bottom of my heart!

― 申し訳ありませんでした！！Offer my deepest apologies!!

― できることならあのあとすぐに捜索したかったんですよぉI would've looked high and low for you, I swear!でもあの時はこっちも大変で大変でBut I was dealing with some problems of my own!

Bg txt: ロープは切れるわ 川に落ちるわ ようやっと這い上が 下着ドロボー間違いわ 犬に追いかけされるわThe rope cut off on me and then I fell into the river and when I finally managed to pull myself out I was wrongfully accused of being an underwear thief and then I was chased off by a dog blah blah blah

― おそらくは今後の数十年―――いやPerhaps for the following decades...no,数百年の国家の命運を左右することになる大きな選択をねfor the following centuries, this decision will determine the fate of this country.だからThat's why...

― 彼らとしてもキミをどう扱ったものか困っているところなのさthey're acting with caution around you.

― ――まあ その選択肢次第ではDepending on the outcome of their decision,

― この国も従来の孤立主義を捨て教皇庁（ヴァチカン）にすり寄らねばならなくなるかもしれないだろうねthere may come a time when they'll have to abandon their isolationist position and embrace the Vatican.当然 その場合Naturally, if that happens,

― 聖女を邪険に扱うことは論外だ。。。だが別の選択肢を選んだ場合はgiving the Lady Saint the cold shoulder is out of the question. But, in the event that they arrive at a different decision,教皇庁（ヴァチカン）に近づくことはかえって危険を招くことになるgetting friendly with the Vatican would only invite danger.

― ことはThe matter in question...

０５― 女王陛下の危篤さis the declining health of Her Majesty the Queen.

― ブリジット二世Bridget II.わずか十五歳で即位してから半世紀にわたって王座に君臨してきた“北海の女怪（スキュラ）”。。。After ascending the throne at the mere age of fifteen, she reigned over the country for half a century. They called her "Scylla of the North Sea".教皇庁（ヴァチカン）やヒスパニアといった諸列強相手に権謀術数の限りをつくしThe woman hailed as the "Mother of Albion" who outwitted superpowers such as the Vatican and Hispania,

― この国を北方諸国の覇者に育てあげた“アルビオンの母”がwho established this country as the supreme ruler of the northern territories...

― 僕と彼は大学で同窓だったんだが非常に優秀な人物でねぇWe attended the same university, but he was in a league of his own.頭も切れて人柄も良かったHe was a very intelligent man with a charming personality.

― 生きておられればきっと名君になられただろうにIf he was alive today, he would've made a fine ruler.。。。ままならないものさBut not everything in life goes our way.

― ―――へぇ それはまた。。。Gee! Even if something like that happened...あれでもwouldn't there still be others...

― 王族なんて他にもいるでしょ？who are qualified within the royal family?そもそも王太子に子供は？I mean, what about his children?

０７― 亡くなった当時 王太子はオストマルクのヴィクトリア公女と結婚してまだ半年At the time of his death, the Crown Prince had only been married to Princess Victoria of Ostmark for half a year.子供はまだ生まれたなかったんだよThey didn't bear any children yet.

― それでもヴィクトリア妃は忘れ形見の男児を出産されたんだがPrincess Victoria did deliver a boy after the Prince's death,それもあいにくと死産だったbut tragically it was a stillbirth.

― 王太子には兄弟がいなかったからその時点でThe Crown Prince was an only child,王家の系譜はほとんど絶えてしまったんだso the royal family's lineage almost ended along with his death.

― それってたしかIf I recall,ナントカって騎士が王太子妃と自分の奥さんを殺しちゃった事件のことですよねthat was when some knight murdered the Crown Princess and his own wife, right?

０８― エドワード・ホワイトEdward White.事件まではアルビオンで最も高潔な騎士と言われていた人物だUp until that point, he was said to be the most distinguished knight in Albion.

― 妻のジュリア・ホワイト夫人ともども王太子夫妻の信任篤かったHe and his wife were very close with the Crown Prince and Princess.

― ――ははぁ 。。。でもI see...

― そこまで立派な人物がなぜそんなだいそれた真似を？But why would such an accomplished man do something so terrible?

― わからんI don't know.色々説はあるんだがねThere are many theories.

― 。。。実際のところは僕にもわからないBut even I don't know the truth.

― 当時 僕自身にもちょっと事情があってこの国を離れていたからねぇI was out of the country for my own reasons when it occurred.

Outside txt: あAh!

― 。。。あれ...But wait!でも 教授いま確かProfessor,「王家の系譜はほとんど耐えてしまっている」って言いましたよね？you just said that the royal family's lineage almost ended when the Prince died.

― “ほとんど”ってことはまだ王族が？By "almost", do you mean there are still royal candidates?

― ああCorrect.二人ほど女王の姪と甥にあたる人物がねI was referring to the queen's niece and nephew.

０９― それが両方とも問題のある人物でねぇThe problem lies with the both of them.

― まず 甥というのが他国の国王なんだThe nephew in question is presently the king of another country.

― 現ゲルマニクス国王ルートヴィヒ二世さKing Ludwig II of Germanicus.

― ゲッEh?!よりにもよってゲルマニクスの“兇王”ですか！？The one and only "tyrant king" of Germanicus?!― そんな人が王様になったらアルビオンは実質的にゲルマニクスに併合されちゃうってことになりません？The very one who kept Albion from merging with Germanicus after he was crowned king?同君連合なんて生やさしいこと言う人たちじゃないですよ あそこは。。。His people aren't very fond of alliances, are they.

small txt: あ～～。。。 Hoo boy.

― じゃWell!じゃ もう一人だ！There's still one more person!確かもう一人姪御さんがいらっしゃるんですよね？You did say there was a niece, right?

― だったらその人で決定じゃないですかWouldn't she be the obvious choice then?

― アベル君Abel, my friend.

― 僕はそう簡単にいかないと言ったよ？It's not as simple as that.いったい何を聞いていたのかね。。。I suppose you haven't heard all the details.とWell.

― ほらListen here.噂をすれば何とやらだI have much to tell you.

１０― アルビオン海軍中将（ヴァイス・アドミラル）She's the Vice Admiral of the Albion Navy.国家財政副委員長Vice Chairman of the National Treasury.

― 自由党院内幹事（ホイッブ）Executive Secretary of the Liberal Party.

― 王国貴族院終身議員A lifelong member of the elite.

― アルビオンの一部でありながら独自の議会と軍隊を持つエリン最大の椱合企業体（コングロマリット）The head of the largest conglomerate in Erin called the Jocelyn Group which controls...ジョスリン・コンツェルン総帥a portion of the parliament and army within Albion.*Erin is the Irish English word for Ireland.

― そしてブリジット陛下の姪And she's Queen Bridget's niece.

― アルビオンきっての大貴族で大富豪She's a big shot even among Albion's aristocrats.

１１

― エリン公The Duchess of Erin,ジェーン・ジョディス・ジョスリンJane Judith Jocelyn.

― “カラミティ・ジェーン”って綽名が一番知られてるかもしれないねぇShe's probably most well known by her nickname, "Calamity Jane".

― きょッ教授P-Professor!なんかお水のお姉さんが入ってきましたよSome belladonna just walked in!*Belladonna literally means "beautiful lady" in Italian, but actually refers to a poisonous plant. I used this term to get the "beautiful but dangerous" meaning across because it seems like that's what Abel thinks.超コワイShe gives me the creeps!

― だからLike I said,大貴族で大富豪she's a real big shot.

１２― 公人としては成功した企業家As a socialite, she's a successful entrepreneur.軍人としては海賊退治やヒスパニアとの国境紛争でめざましい戦功をあげた軍歴の持ち主As a soldier, she carries a remarkable service record in the eradication of piracy and the border disputes with Hispania.

― 経歴だけ見れば王位を継承する分には申し分ない才女だIf we were to just look at her career, then she would've been a shoo-in for inheriting the throne.。。。だがいかんせん 半ば独立した地方領主の彼女に王位を継がせるのを屈辱と考えている貴族も多くてねRegrettably, a considerable number of aristocrats oppose handing over the throne to someone who's relatively independent from the country.

― しかも教会嫌いで通っているからローマの受けもよくないNot to mention, her dislike of the Church hasn't earned her much favor with Rome.おまけにプライベートでも醜聞（スキャンダル）が多すぎるWhat's more, she's been caught up in a myriad of scandals.

― スScandals?醜聞（スキャンダル）とおっしゃいますと？What kind of scandals?

― それはもういろいろさOh, there are plenty.不純異性交遊に不純同性交友From adultery to homosexuality,

― 。。。。........

― 乱交パーティーに薬物摂取。。。それとpromiscuity to drug use.

― これまで彼女は七回結婚をしているがShe's even been married seven times.夫は七人とも病死しているんだAnd each time, her husband died.

― 妻に毒殺されたともっぱらの噂だよRumor has it they were all poisoned by her.

outside txt: あ。。。あれは。。。威嚇。。。？I-Is she trying to stare me down??

― 。。。ひY-Yikes!ひえ～～～。。。Scary!

１３― 。。。実はもう一人王族がいるにはいるんだが。。。Actually, there is one more candidate.カルスレー子爵といってねAnd that's the Viscountess Carlisle.現在は軍籍にあるが非常に優秀で人格的にも優れた方だと聞いているI hear she's a brilliant military official and a highly regarded woman.。。。ただBut as luck would have it,

― 残念なことに庶子なんだshe's an illegitimate child.ギル。。。王太子が結婚する前に愛人に生ませた子供なんだよShe's the child Gil--I mean, the Crown Prince had with his lover before he married.

― 庶子には家督継承はおろか財産分与も認められていないからねAn illegitimate child can't receive a share of the family assets,当然王位継承権も発生しない―――さてとlet alone the right to the throne.

― いつの間にかこんな時間かOh, my. It's already gotten so late.

― アベル君 シスター・エステルは明日から教皇聖下をお迎えしないといけないAbel, Sister Esther is greeting the Pope tomorrow.そろそろ寝室にお送りして我々は本来の職務に戻ろうじゃないかIt's time we send her off to bed and return to our work, wouldn't you agree?この分だと徹夜We'll be up all night if this continues.

― 。。。？...?本来のお仕事。。。？You have work tonight?

― ああYes.件の司祭は逮捕したんだけどねThe priest who made off with the documents was apprehended,実は回収した文書に欠落が見つかったんだよbut we've discovered that some of the retrieved documents are missing.

― リストによればAccording to our list,欠落箇所は聖暦六百四十年の十一月。。。だったかねthe missing portion is from November, year 640 of the Holy Calendar.

１４― 内容はっと。。。ああAs for its content... Let's see here...教授 これがアレですよIt was about a particular incident.

― キミの父上がエドワード・ホワイトだって？Your father is Edward White, you say?そんな話デタラメに決まってるよThat's obviously nothing more than hogwash.

１５― 事件の直後ホワイト卿は確かに海外に逃亡したがCertainly, Sir White fled the country immediately following the incident.ほどなくヴィエナで事故死しているHowever, he died in an accident in Vienna shortly thereafter.

― 確かに彼には娘がいたし 高飛びする際その子も連れていっているHe took his daughter with him when he left.つまり彼女も父親と一緒に死んだ。。。Consequently, daughter and father both died together.たぶんその新聞記者とやらはそのあたりから話しを創作したんだろうIt's likely that's when reporters like that man started fabricating stories.

― ゴシップ紙がよく使う手口さThat's just how the tabloids usually make their headlines.

― 。。。なんだThank goodness!

outside txt: ホ―――。。。Phew...

― そうだったんですか。。。I'm so relieved to hear that.

― でたらめでよかったですI'm glad his lies were brought to light.あいつ こんな物まで用意してあたしを騙そうとしたんですよTo think that he even went so far as to make this in order to deceive me!

― 見つけ出したら張り倒してやりたいわ！If I ever run into him again, I'll be sure to give him a sound beating!

― ああ 大いに張り倒したまえYes, you have every right to do so.売り出し中の“聖女”が反逆者の娘なんてことになったらそれこそ教皇庁（ヴァチカン）の権威はがた落ちだIf word got out that the "Lady Saint", in the midst of her growing popularity, was the daughter of a traitor, then the Vatican's authority would be undermined.

― 新聞社には厳重に抗議せねばならんだろうね。。。まったくEven if we were to protest against the newspaper company, it wouldn't remedy the situation. Good grief...その人物はどいう経緯でそんな妄想に脳をJust where in the world did that man come across such a wild story?

１６― 侵食されたのか。。。Maybe he has a few screws loose in his head...。。。ね...Hm?

― 教授？Something wrong, Professor?えEh?

― ちょっとさっきのリストを貸したまえLet me borrow that list of yours for a bit.

― 。。。どWhat...どうされました教授。。。？What is it, Professor...?

― リストにあるんだThey're on the list.

― 。。。へHuh?何がです？What is?

― “エドワード・ホワイト児童出生証明書一式”"Edward White's Child Birth Certificates".この書類が紛失文書のリストにあるんだThese documents are included on the list of those missing.

１７― シスター・エステルSister Esther.

― この書類はいったい誰が持っていたのかね？Who exactly was carrying these documents?

― 。。。....クA...

― クレマンって記者です。。。ピA reporter by the name of Clement... From...

― ピカデリー・ガゼットという新聞の。。。From a newspaper called Piccadilly Gazette...

― 。。。ワ。。。ワーズワース博士D-Dr. Wordsworth.

― あMy...あたしの父は反逆者なんかじゃないですよね。。。？My father couldn't possibly be a traitor, could he...?お后さまや奥さんを殺すような人じゃ。。。He couldn't have murdered the Princess or his wife...

― それに私修道院暮らしが長くて夜は弱いんです！After living in an abbey for so long, I'm not used to staying up late, you see!そろそろ失礼してもよろしいでしょうか！？I'd like to excuse myself now if that's all right with you!

― 勿論ですOf course.すぐ寝室にご案内しましょうI'll escort you to your quarters.

― では私もご一緒しましょうI'll come along too!そして私の深き懺悔を一晩じっくりと。。。That way, I can properly repent for my sins all night long!

― 君は来なくていい ジェーンI don't see why you need to tag along, Jane.

― 冷たいわ メアリ。。。Aw. You're no fun, Mary!

― 君が暑苦しすぎるんだ ジェーンPlease, control yourself, Jane.

２２

― ご寝所は客館の方にお作りしておきましたThe quarters we prepared for you are located in the guesthouse.そちらのナイトロード神父の寝室が近くにございますので何かと便利かとFather Nightroad's quarters will be close by if you should need anything from him.

― す すいませんT-Thank you.何から何まで手配していただいてI'm sorry for asking so much of you.

box 1: ―――本当にこの人This woman...接待専門の部署に任せずに何から何まで。。。really takes it upon herself to make sure the guests are comfortable.

box 2: 軍だけでなく宮廷内にも顔が利くなんてShe seems to wield a lot of influence in both the army and royal court.この メアリという人は一体Just where exactly...

box 3: どういう身分の人なんだろう。。。？does she sit on the social ladder...?

― あの。。。Excuse me...

― そこにいるのはWho's there?誰だ？Show yourself!

２３― 隠れているのはわかってるI know you're hiding out there.ここがアルビオンの女王います宮と知っての狼藉か！？You dare to trespass here, knowing that this is the Queen of Albion's residence!?

― 。。。。。女王陛下います宮と知るがゆえに...It's precisely because I know that the Queen is here...参内したのでございますthat I am here to call upon her.

― 。。。...マンチェスター伯。。。！！The Earl of Manchester...!!

２４― 貴様。。。何のつもりだWhat sort of business brings you here!?

― そのような穢れた身にしてHow dare you show up at the royal palace unannounced!王宮に推参するとは！And in such contemptible attire, no less!

― お叱り申し訳ございませぬI must apologize.されど 女王陛下のお痛気篤いと聞き及びWhen I learned of Her Majesty the Queen's failing health,

― いても立ってもいられず このようにまかりこした次第。。。I had immediately rushed over to see her.

― 我らがこうしてあるも仁徳厚き陛下おわしてのことI am what I am today because of Her Majesty's profound generosity.かの君亡くなれば我は生きていてもしょうがないHer death would be a most devastating blow to me.

― どうかお聞かせくだされ殿下（ユア・ロイヤル・ハイネス）Your Royal Highness, would you please pass along to Her Majesty...女王陛下は再び健やかになられたまうのでありましょうや？my sincere wishes that her health returns to her?

Box: 。。。この声。。。That voice...

２５box: あの時の―――！！It's the same as from that time...!!

― とにかく今宵は晴れの祝宴――そしてThere's a banquet taking place this evening.ここは王宮にして汝如きが立ち入ることのできる場所ではないI can't allow you to interfere with the proceedings.

― 耳あらばよく聞き分けて疾く去ぬるがよい 伯爵I must insist that you leave the premises posthaste, Earl.そして二度とその不吉な姿をこの王宮に現すな！！And never show up at the royal palace again in such ominous garb!!

― 。。。。。。.........

― 。。。。.......やむを得ませぬAs you wish.

― 。。。申し訳ありません 聖女さまI apologize, Lady Saint.

２６― 今のはマンチェスター伯と申しまして かつて宮廷で不始末をしでかした者ですThe man you just saw is the Earl of Manchester, a man who once threw the royal court into an uproar with his transgressions.女王陛下の禁忌を犯して城を追放された身でありながらHe committed taboo against Her Majesty and has been exiled from the castle since.

― ときどき口実を設けてはああして戻って参るのですHe returns from time to time with different excuses.我々も ほとほと対応に苦慮しておりますWe're at our wit's end on how to deal with him.

― さっきの黒ずくめの奴です！I'm talking about the person in black just now!あいつ。。。空港でわたしをさらったテロリストですよI'm sure that person was the terrorist who carried me off at the airport.声でわかりましたI can tell by that person's voice.

― 。。。マジですか？Are you serious?

― でもなんか大佐のお知り合いみたいでしたよBut it kind of seemed like the Captain knew that person...

― エステルさん 空港のテロリストは大佐を罵ってたって言ってたじゃないですかThe terrorist at the airport was way more rude to her.それって話が変くないですか？Don't you find that odd?

― 変だから確かめるんじゃないですか。。。Yes, that's exactly why I want to find out.

― もういいやForget it.

― あたし行ってきますI'll go myself.

― あー もーAh! Wait!

― わかりました わかりましたI get it! I get it!私が行きますからエステルさんは休んでてくださいっI'll go instead, so you can just take it easy here!

２８― いやNo.あたしも一緒に。。。I'm coming along with you.

― ダメですNo can do.

― あなたは明日も仕事があるんですYou have a job to do tomorrow.あの連中と渡り合うって仕事がねYou're going to argue your case against those guys, remember?

― ここは私に任せてあなたは体力を回復することだけ考えてくださいLeave everything here to me. The only thing you should think about is resting up for tomorrow.それがあなたの仕事ですThat is your job.

― でも。。。But...

― 大丈夫 おまかせくださいIt'll be fine! Trust me.

― 行き先を確認したらすぐ戻ってきますからI'll come back as soon as I find out where he's going.それよりエステルさんは早く休んでYou just hurry on to bed.

― 寝坊なんてしちゃダメですよ？We can't have you sleeping in now, can we?

― 。。。あのUm...神父さまFather?

― 。。。。気をつけて...Please be careful.

２９― わーかってますってGotcha!

box: 東の果て（イーストエンド）East Endホワイトチャペル街White Chapel District

３０― 。。。。。.......―――速いHe's fast.それにしてもStill...

― エステルさんはああ言ってはいましたが。。。Despite what Esther said,スペンサー大佐は彼女のような反応を見せなかったCaptain Spencer didn't seem to react the same way she did.

― やはりエステルさんの思い過ごしかI knew Esther was just making a big deal about it.それともスペンサー大佐はなにかを。。。Otherwise, Captain Spencer would've...あAh!

― いっけねShoot!見失ったI lost him!！

― ひッ人殺し。。。M-Murderer...!

３１― キャアアアアEeeeeeekkk!

― ―――！！....!!Small txt: ちょっHey!おやめなさい！！Stop right there!!

３２― 。。。！？...?!弾丸を。。。？He stopped my bullets!

― 。。。...

３３― 。。。あッ。。。！？Agh...!

３４― ひいい。。。Eeekk!

― 。。。。....

― やめたまえThat’s enough.

― ここでの殺生は何人たりとも許さんI will not tolerate any bloodshed here.

３５― 君もイーストエンドの住人なら知っているはずだYou must already know as a resident of the East End...ここは女王陛下が定めし光と闇の境界の地This soil has been designated by Her Majesty as the boundary between light and darkness.

― 王国の名においていかなる争いも許されんIn the name of the Queen, I will not permit such violence here.

３６― 即刻 立ち去りたまえLeave at once.さもなくばIf you refuse to do so,

― 私は女王の騎士としてthen as a knight of the Queen,君を討ち滅ぼさねばならんI must eliminate you.

― 。。。。。。。........“騎士”だと？A "knight", you say?

― “ゲットー”の化け物の分際でYou're just some monster from the "ghetto"!忌まわしい怪物が騎士などと僭称するのか？A filthy monster playing pretend as a knight!

― 。。。。“ゲットー”。。。"Ghetto"...。。。化け物。。。？Monster...?

― その通りだQuite so.

― 私はI am indeed...女王（ブリジェット）の忠実なる騎士a loyal knight to Bridget.

３７― たとえAnd as such...

― かのお方の定めし法を犯す者は許さんI do not tolerate offenders of the law.

― この身は救われざる暗黒に生を享けようとTo punish you, I'll show you the true depths of darkness.

― 。。。！？....?!

― ！！!!

３８― 。。。。。。.........地面が灼けている。。。The ground's melting!。。。これはYou're...

― “ナハツェーラー”。。。a "Nachzehrer"!*Nachzehrer's a sort of German vampire. You can look it up.

― では―――貴様がマンチェスター伯かSo then, you're the Earl of Manchester!?

― 吸血鬼（ヴァンパイア）！！Y-You're a vampire!!

― ！!

３９― 。。。閃光弾A flash bomb...逃がしたか。。。He's gone.

― 。。。あWho...。。。あなたは。。。Who are you...?

― 無理に動いてはいけない 神父殿。。。Don't strain yourself, Father.とりあえずは我が所領で手当てしようI'll see to it that your wounds are tended to.